Columbia Architects

Patrick S.

Verified review

From the beginning, Tommy made the entire process as easy as possible. He worked around the busy schedule of our family and made time to meet when convenient for us, even on weekends or nights. Tommy did an incredible job of listening to what we needed and wanted out of the home remodel project and created the perfect solution that balanced functionality and budget. He was able to bring a unique insight to the project from his experiences as an architect and the recent remodel of his own home. We were also very impressed with how well Tommy worked as part of our team. He produced a preliminary pricing set of drawings with which we chose a contractor, then met with our chosen contractor and interior designer to finalize the plans with their input to create the most economical design, that included their input. Finally, Tommy has remained involved in the process throughout the construction process to ensure everything is going well and following his design. Tommy has exceeded all our expectations and we recommend him to anyone looking to design a new home or remodel an existing home.

About

Ryan Thewes Architect is a fully licensed architectural firm practicing out of Nashville, TN.
Ryan's background in organic architecture comes from working for Don Erickson and Robert Green, both former apprentices to Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as working for Bart Prince, a former Bruce Goff apprentice.
Ryan's designs fuse these organic principles with modern architecture and green building practices to create a unique style that has continued to gain national attention.

Q & A

Architects may work for an architecture or engineering firm, they may work for a government organization, they can work for a construction company, or they may be self-employed (freelance). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that architects spend a large amount of their working time in the home or company office: meeting with clients; creating reports and architectural drawings; and working with other architects and engineers. When not in an office, an architect is often at the construction site either as part of the development of plans or to ensure building progress is following the blueprint.

When a client interacts with an architect, it is typically to have them design drawings for the construction of a house or a building. If you are a client who has hired a large architecture firm, there may be a team of people working on your design. But if you are working with a freelance architect or a smaller firm, one person (or a small group) will take your concept and translate it into an architectural blueprint that a builder can use to construct a house. The plans will lay out everything from the depth of the foundation to the materials to use to the type of metal to be used in the reinforcement. Once the plans have been created and handed off to the builder, the architect may remain on the project — depending on budget — and oversee progress.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median salary of an architect in 2016 was $76,930. This range included architects with every type of company as well as self-employed architects. Depending on the architect and whether they’re with a firm or independent, they may charge per hour or by the square foot, or they may charge a percentage of the total budget for a construction project. An hourly rate is typically used for smaller projects such as providing consultation, helping clients hone their concept before the design process begins, or drafting documents and plans. If an architect is working on an hourly basis on a larger project, there will usually be an agreed-upon cap on the number of hours they will work. For larger projects, such as new construction or total overhaul remodels, architects may charge a percentage of the total construction costs. The architect will usually set the percentage you will pay after the total cost of construction has been accounted for. Percentages can range within a firm depending on the extent of the services they’re providing. For example, a lower percentage of the total construction costs may include drafting and minimal consultation and guidance along the way, while a higher percentage could include on-site project management services with every detail attended to. Architects may also charge by the square footage of the project. The rate per square foot can vary depending on the individual’s training, the services they are providing, the complexity of the project, and other factors — such as obtaining permits. The national average cost to hire an architect is between $1,690 and $2,500.